Apparatus, method and article for providing vehicle diagnostic data

ABSTRACT

A network of collection, charging and distribution machines collects, charges and distributes portable electrical energy storage devices (e.g., batteries, supercapacitors or ultracapacitors). Vehicle diagnostic data of a vehicle using the portable electrical energy storage device is stored on a diagnostic data storage system of the portable electrical energy storage device during use of a respective portable electrical energy storage device by a respective vehicle. Once the user places the portable electrical energy storage device in the collection, charging and distribution machine, or comes within wireless communications range of a collection, charging and distribution machine, a connection is established between the collection, charging and distribution machine and the portable electrical energy storage device. The collection, charging and distribution machine then reads vehicle diagnostic data stored on the diagnostic data storage system of the portable electrical energy storage device and provides information regarding the diagnostic data.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of the filingdate of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/511,900 entitled“APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR COLLECTION, CHARGING AND DISTRIBUTINGPOWER STORAGE DEVICES, SUCH AS BATTERIES” and filed Jul. 26, 2011(Attorney Docket No. 170178.401P1), U.S. provisional patent applicationSer. No. 61/647,936 entitled “APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FORCOLLECTION, CHARGING AND DISTRIBUTING POWER STORAGE DEVICES, SUCH ASBATTERIES” and filed May 16, 2012 (Attorney Docket No. 170178.401P2),U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/534,753 entitled“APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR REDISTRIBUTING POWER STORAGE DEVICES,SUCH AS BATTERIES, BETWEEN COLLECTION, CHARGING AND DISTRIBUTIONMACHINES” and filed Sep. 14, 2011 (Atty. Docket No. 170178.402P1), U.S.provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/534,761 entitled “APPARATUS,METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR AUTHENTICATION, SECURITY AND CONTROL OF POWERSTORAGE DEVICES SUCH AS BATTERIES” and filed Sep. 14, 2011 (AttorneyDocket No. 170178.403P1), U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No.61/534,772 entitled “APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR AUTHENTICATION,SECURITY AND CONTROL OF POWER STORAGE DEVICES, SUCH AS BATTERIES, BASEDON USER PROFILES” and filed Sep. 14, 2011 (Attorney Docket No.170178.404P1), U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/511,887entitled “THERMAL MANAGEMENT OF COMPONENTS IN ELECTRIC MOTOR DRIVEVEHICLES” and filed Jul. 26, 2011 (Atty. Docket No. 170178.406P1), U.S.provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/647,941 entitled “THERMALMANAGEMENT OF COMPONENTS IN ELECTRIC MOTOR DRIVE VEHICLES” and filed May16, 2012 (Atty. Docket No. 170178.406P2), U.S. provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 61/511,880 entitled “DYNAMICALLY LIMITING VEHICLEOPERATION FOR BEST EFFORT ECONOMY” and filed Jul. 26, 2011 (Atty. DocketNo. 170178.407P1), U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No.61/557,170 entitled “APPARATUS, METHOD, AND ARTICLE FOR PHYSICALSECURITY OF POWER STORAGE DEVICES IN VEHICLES” and filed Nov. 8, 2011(Atty. Docket No. 170178.408P1), U.S. provisional patent applicationSer. No. 61/581,566 entitled “APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR A POWERSTORAGE DEVICE COMPARTMENT” and filed Dec. 29, 2011 (Atty. Docket No.170178.412P1), U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/601,404entitled “APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR PROVIDING VEHICLE DIAGNOSTICDATA” and filed Feb. 21, 2012 (Atty. Docket No. 170178.417P1), U.S.provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/601,949 entitled “APPARATUS,METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR PROVIDING LOCATIONS OF POWER STORAGE DEVICECOLLECTION, CHARGING AND DISTRIBUTION MACHINES” and filed Feb. 22, 2012(Atty. Docket No. 170178.418P1), and U.S. provisional patent applicationSer. No. 61/601,953 entitled “APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FORPROVIDING INFORMATION REGARDING AVAILABILITY OF POWER STORAGE DEVICES ATA POWER STORAGE DEVICE COLLECTION, CHARGING AND DISTRIBUTION MACHINE”and filed Feb. 22, 2012 (Atty. Docket No. 170178.419P1).

BACKGROUND Technical Field

The present disclosure generally relates to providing vehicle diagnosticdata and, more particularly, to providing vehicle diagnostic data usingelectrical power storage devices (e.g., secondary batteries,supercapacitors or ultracapacitors), which may be suitable for use in avariety of fields or applications, for instance transportation andnon-transportation uses.

Description of the Related Art

Personal transportation vehicles such as combustion engine poweredscooters and/or motorbikes are ubiquitous in many places, for example inthe many large cities of Asia. Such scooters and/or motorbikes tend tobe relatively inexpensive, particularly compared to automobiles, cars ortrucks. Cities with high numbers of combustion engine scooters and/ormotorbikes also tend to be very densely populated and suffer from highlevels of air pollution. When new, many combustion engine scootersand/or motorbikes are equipped with a relatively low polluting source ofpersonal transportation. For instance, such scooters and/or motorbikesmay have higher mileage ratings than larger vehicles. Some scootersand/or motorbikes may even be equipped with basic pollution controlequipment (e.g., catalytic converter). Unfortunately, factory specifiedlevels of emission are quickly exceeded as the scooters and/ormotorbikes are used and either not maintained and/or as the scootersand/or motorbikes are modified, for example by intentional orunintentional removal of catalytic converters. Often owners or operatorsof scooters and/or motorbikes lack the financial resources or themotivation to maintain their vehicles.

It is known that air pollution has a negative effect on human health,being associated with causing or exacerbating a variety of diseases(e.g., various reports tie air pollution to emphysema, asthma,pneumonia, cystic fibrosis as well as various cardiovascular diseases).Such diseases take large numbers of lives and severely reduce thequality of life of countless others.

There are a wide variety of uses or applications for portable electricalenergy storage devices. One such application is in the field oftransportation. Hybrid and all electrical vehicles are becomingincreasingly common. Such vehicles may achieve a number of advantagesover traditional internal combustion engine vehicles. For example,hybrid or electrical vehicles may achieve higher fuel economy and mayhave little or even zero tail pipe pollution. In particular, allelectric vehicles may not only have zero tail pipe pollution, but may beassociated with lower overall pollution. For example, electrical powermay be generated from renewable sources (e.g., solar, hydro). Also forexample, electrical power may be generated at generation plants thatproduce no air pollution (e.g., nuclear plants). Also for example,electrical power may be generated at generation plants that burnrelatively “clean burning” fuels (e.g., natural gas), which have higherefficiency than internal combustion engines, and/or which employpollution control or removal systems (e.g., industrial air scrubbers)which are too large, costly or expensive for use with individualvehicles.

As the popularity of hybrid and electric powered vehicles continues toincrease, so will the need to maintain these vehicles in a convenientand cost effective manner.

BRIEF SUMMARY

A vehicle diagnostic data storage system may be summarized as includingat least one controller; and at least one memory device configured to becoupled to the at least one controller, wherein the at least one memorydevice is attached to an electrical energy storage device configured toprovide power to a vehicle, and wherein the controller is configured to:receive diagnostic data regarding the vehicle; and store at least someof the diagnostic data in the memory device.

The at least one memory device may be configured to be coupled to the atleast one controller when the electrical energy storage device isoperably placed in the vehicle. The at least one controller may beattached to the electrical energy storage device. The at least onememory device may be coupled to the at least one controller. Theelectrical energy storage device may be a portable electrical energystorage device. The at least one controller may be further configured toreceive the diagnostic data regarding the vehicle from a vehiclediagnostic system of the vehicle. The at least one controller may befurther configured to wirelessly receive the diagnostic data regardingthe vehicle from the vehicle diagnostic system. The at least one memorydevice may be configured to be wirelessly coupled to the at least onecontroller. The at least one controller may be further configured toenable the at least some diagnostic data stored on the at least onememory device to be provided to an external device. The at least onecontroller may be further configured to: receive information regardingauthentication of an external device to which to provide the at leastsome diagnostic data stored on the at least one memory device; and makea determination regarding enabling the at least some diagnostic datastored on the at least one memory device to be provided to the externaldevice, based on the information regarding authentication. The at leastone controller may be configured to receive the information regardingauthentication via a wireless signal transmitted from the externaldevice. The external device may be a portable electrical energy storagedevice collection, charging and distribution machine.

The vehicle diagnostic data storage system may further include awireless communications module coupled to the at least one memorydevice, and wherein the wireless communications module is configured toenable the at least some diagnostic data stored on the at least onememory device to be provided wirelessly to an external device. Thediagnostic data may include at least some information regarding one ormore of: status or condition of the vehicle, condition of an engine ofthe vehicle, one or more electrical systems of the vehicle, health ofthe vehicle, oil level of the vehicle, brake pad condition of thevehicle, status of one or more vehicle lights, engine temperature of thevehicle, mileage of the vehicle, one or more fluid levels of thevehicle, condition or status of the electrical energy storage device,and current odometer reading of the vehicle. The memory device may beremovably attached to the electrical energy storage device.

A method of operating a portable electrical energy storage devicecollection, charging and distribution machine may be summarized asincluding detecting presence of a portable electrical energy storagedevice configured to provide power to a vehicle; receiving vehiclediagnostic data regarding the vehicle from the portable electricalenergy storage device; and providing information from the portableelectrical energy storage device collection, charging and distributionmachine based on the received vehicle diagnostic data.

The detecting presence of a portable electrical energy storage devicemay include detecting presence of the portable electrical energy storagedevice in the portable electrical energy storage device collection,charging and distribution machine. The detecting the presence of theportable electrical energy storage device in the portable electricalenergy storage device collection, charging and distribution machine mayinclude detecting an operable physical connection between a diagnosticdata storage system of the portable electrical energy storage device andan input of the portable electrical energy storage device collection,charging and distribution machine once the portable electrical energystorage device is placed in the portable electrical energy storagedevice collection, charging and distribution machine. The detectingpresence of the portable electrical energy storage device may includedetecting presence of the portable electrical energy storage device viaa wireless signal received from the portable electrical energy storagedevice. The receiving vehicle diagnostic data regarding the vehicle fromthe portable electrical energy storage device may include receiving thevehicle diagnostic data from a memory device attached to the portableelectrical energy storage device on which the vehicle diagnostic data isstored. The providing information from the portable electrical energystorage device collection, charging and distribution machine based onthe received vehicle diagnostic data may include displaying theinformation on a display of the portable electrical energy storagedevice collection, charging and distribution machine. The displaying theinformation on a display of the portable electrical energy storagedevice collection, charging and distribution machine may includedisplaying the information on the display during a transaction at theportable electrical energy storage device collection, charging anddistribution machine involving the portable electrical energy storagedevice. The providing information from the portable electrical energystorage device collection, charging and distribution machine based onthe received vehicle diagnostic data may include communicating theinformation to a mobile device of a user associated with the vehicle.The providing information from the portable electrical energy storagedevice collection, charging and distribution machine based on thereceived vehicle diagnostic data may include communicating theinformation to a server computing system. The provided information fromthe portable electrical energy storage device collection, charging anddistribution machine may include notifications regarding potentialproblems with the vehicle based on the diagnostic data. The providedinformation from the portable electrical energy storage devicecollection, charging and distribution machine may further includeinstructions for resolving the potential problems with the vehicle.

The method of operating a portable electrical energy storage devicecollection, charging and distribution machine may further includedisplaying information regarding availability of particular vehicleparts at the portable electrical energy storage device collection,charging and distribution machine based on the received vehiclediagnostic data.

An electrical energy storage device may be summarized as including abattery cell; a battery cell housing; and a diagnostic data storagesystem attached to the battery cell housing configured to receive andstore diagnostic data of a vehicle that the electrical energy storagedevice is configured to power.

The electrical energy storage device may be a portable electrical energystorage device. The diagnostic data storage system may be attached to aninside of the battery cell housing. The diagnostic data storage systemmay be attached to an outside of the battery cell housing. Thediagnostic data storage system may be configured to communicate thestored diagnostic data of the vehicle to an external device. Thediagnostic data storage system may be configured to wirelesslycommunicate the stored diagnostic data of the vehicle to an externaldevice. The external device may be a portable electrical energy storagedevice collection, charging and distribution machine. The diagnosticdata storage system may include a controller coupled to a memory device,wherein the controller is configured to: receive diagnostic dataregarding the vehicle; store at least some of the diagnostic data in thememory device; and enable the at least some diagnostic data stored inthe memory device to be provided to an external device.

A non-transitory computer readable storage medium may be summarized ashaving computer executable instructions thereon that, when executed,cause a processor to perform: receiving data from a portable electricalenergy storage device configured to power the vehicle; and providinginformation based on the received data to a user associated with thevehicle.

The computer executable instructions, when executed, may further causethe processor to perform detecting presence of the portable electricalenergy storage device at a portable electrical energy storage devicecollection, charging and distribution machine. The data may include oneor more of: vehicle diagnostic data regarding the vehicle, user profileinformation, vehicle profile information, security codes, credentials,security certificates, passwords, a subscription level of a user,demographic information of a user, information regarding user vehiclelocations, telematic user vehicle information, telemetric user vehicleinformation, information regarding portable electrical energy storagedevice charge capacity, information regarding route information ofusers, and historic data. The data may include vehicle diagnostic dataregarding the vehicle and the receiving the data from the portableelectrical energy storage device may include receiving the data from amemory device attached to the portable electrical energy storage deviceon which the vehicle diagnostic data is stored. The providinginformation based on the received data may include displaying theinformation on a display of a portable electrical energy storage devicecollection, charging and distribution machine in which the portableelectrical energy storage device has been placed and in response to theportable electrical energy storage device having been placed in thecollection, charging and distribution machine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, identical reference numbers identify similar elementsor acts. The sizes and relative positions of elements in the drawingsare not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the shapes of variouselements and angles are not drawn to scale, and some of these elementsare arbitrarily enlarged and positioned to improve drawing legibility.Further, the particular shapes of the elements as drawn, are notintended to convey any information regarding the actual shape of theparticular elements, and have been solely selected for ease ofrecognition in the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a collection, charging and distributionmachine along with a number of electrical power storage devicesaccording to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment, along with anelectric scooter or motorbike, and an electrical service provided via anelectrical grid.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the collection, charging and distributionmachine of FIG. 1, according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the portable electrical energy storagedevice of FIG. 1, according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment.

FIG. 4A is a schematic view of the diagnostic data storage system ofFIG. 3 coupled to a vehicle diagnostic system, according to onenon-limiting illustrated embodiment.

FIG. 4B is an illustration of example information displayed on a userinterface screen regarding vehicle diagnostic data received from thediagnostic data storage system of FIG. 3 and FIG. 4A, according to onenon-limiting illustrated embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram showing a high level method of operating thediagnostic data storage system of FIGS. 3 and 4A, according to onenon-limiting illustrated embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram showing a low level method of operating thediagnostic data storage system of FIGS. 3 and 4A, according to onenon-limiting illustrated embodiment, including enabling data to beprovided to an external device, useful in the method of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram showing a high level method of operating aportable electrical energy storage device collection, charging anddistribution machine of FIGS. 1 and 2, according to one non-limitingillustrated embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram showing a low level method of operating theportable electrical energy storage device collection, charging anddistribution machine of FIGS. 1 and 2, according to one non-limitingillustrated embodiment, including receiving the vehicle diagnostic datafrom a memory device, useful in the method of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram showing a low level method of operating theportable electrical energy storage device collection, charging anddistribution machine of FIGS. 1 and 2, according to one non-limitingillustrated embodiment, including displaying the provided information,useful in the method of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram showing a high level method of operating aportable electrical energy storage device collection, charging anddistribution machine of FIGS. 1 and 2, according to another non-limitingillustrated embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, certain specific details are set forth inorder to provide a thorough understanding of various disclosedembodiments. However, one skilled in the relevant art will recognizethat embodiments may be practiced without one or more of these specificdetails, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In otherinstances, well-known structures associated with vending apparatus,batteries, supercapacitors or ultracapacitors, power convertersincluding but not limited to transformers, rectifiers, DC/DC powerconverters, switch mode power converters, controllers, andcommunications systems and structures and networks have not been shownor described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring descriptions ofthe embodiments.

Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the specification andclaims which follow, the word “comprise” and variations thereof, suchas, “comprises” and “comprising” are to be construed in an open,inclusive sense that is as “including, but not limited to.”

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “anembodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristicdescribed in connection with the embodiment is included in at least oneembodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or“in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification arenot necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

The use of ordinals such as first, second and third does not necessarilyimply a ranked sense of order, but rather may only distinguish betweenmultiple instances of an act or structure.

Reference to portable electrical power storage device means any devicecapable of storing electrical power and releasing stored electricalpower including but not limited to batteries, supercapacitors orultracapacitors. Reference to batteries means chemical storage cell orcells, for instance rechargeable or secondary battery cells includingbut not limited to gel lead-acid, absorbed glass mat lead acid, nickelcadmium alloy, nickel-zinc, nickel metal hydride or lithium ion batterycells.

The headings and Abstract of the Disclosure provided herein are forconvenience only and do not interpret the scope or meaning of theembodiments.

FIG. 1 shows an environment 100 including a collection, charging anddistribution machine 102, according to one illustrated embodiment.

The collection, charging and distribution machine 102 may take the formof a vending machine or kiosk. The collection, charging and distributionmachine 102 has a plurality of receivers, compartments or receptacles104 a, 104 b-104 n (only three called out in FIG. 1, collectively 104)to removably receive portable electrical energy storage devices (e.g.,batteries, supercapacitors or ultracapacitors) 106 a-106 n (collectively106) for collection, charging and distribution. As illustrated in FIG.1, some of the receivers 104 are empty, while other receivers 104 holdportable electrical energy storage devices 106. While FIG. 1 shows asingle portable electrical energy storage device 106 per receiver 104,in some embodiments each receiver 104 may hold two or even more portableelectrical energy storage devices 106. For example, each of thereceivers 104 may be sufficiently deep to receive three portableelectrical energy storage devices 106. Thus, for example, thecollection, charging and distribution machine 102 illustrated in FIG. 1may have a capacity capable of simultaneously holding 40, 80 or 120portable electrical energy storage devices 106.

The portable electrical energy storage devices 106 may take a variety offorms, for example batteries (e.g., array of battery cells),supercapacitors or ultracapacitors (e.g., array of ultracapacitorcells). For example, the portable electrical energy storage devices 106z may take the form of rechargeable batteries (i.e., secondary cells orbatteries). The portable electrical energy storage devices 106 z may,for instance, be sized to physically fit, and electrically power,personal transportation vehicles, such as all-electric scooters ormotorbikes 108. As previously noted, combustion engine scooters andmotorbikes are common in many large cities, for example in Asia, Europeand the Middle East. The ability to conveniently access chargedbatteries throughout a city or region may allow the use of all-electricscooters and motorbikes 108 in place of combustion engine scooters andmotorbikes, thereby alleviating air pollution, as well as reducingnoise.

The portable electrical energy storage devices 106 (only visible forportable electrical energy storage device 106 z) may include a number ofelectrical terminals 110 a, 110 b (two illustrated, collectively 110),accessible from an exterior of the portable electrical energy storagedevice 106 z. The electrical terminals 110 allow charge to be deliveredfrom the portable electrical energy storage device 106 z, as well asallow charge to be delivered to the portable electrical energy storagedevice 106 z for charging or recharging the same. While illustrated inFIG. 1 as posts, the electrical terminals 110 may take any other formwhich is accessible from an exterior of the portable electrical energystorage device 106 z, including electrical terminals positioned withinslots in a battery housing. As the portable electrical energy storagedevices 106 may be lent, leased, and/or rented out to the public, it isdesirable to provide vehicle diagnostic data to the user of the vehiclein which portable electrical energy storage device 106 z is currentlybeing used, for example, when the user exchanges or drops off portableelectrical energy storage device 106 z at a collection, charging anddistribution machine 102. Systems and methods for providing vehiclediagnostic data using memory devices removably or fixedly attached topower storage devices, are described in more detail below with referenceto FIGS. 2-7, and are useful in the overall system for collection,charging and distribution of portable electrical energy storage devices106 described herein.

The collection, charging and distribution machine 102 is positioned atsome location 112 at which the collection, charging and distributionmachine 102 is conveniently and easily accessible by various end users.The location may take any of a large variety of forms, for example, aretail environment such as a convenience store, supermarket, gas orpetrol station, or service shop. Alternatively, the collection, chargingand distribution machine 102 may stand alone at a location 112 notassociated with an existing retail or other business, for example inpublic parks or other public places. Thus, for example, collection,charging and distribution machines 102 may be located at each store of achain of convenience stores throughout a city or region. Such mayadvantageously rely on the fact that convenience stores are often sitedor distributed based on convenience to the target population ordemographic. Such may advantageously rely on pre-existing leases onstorefronts or other retail locations to allow an extensive network ofcollection, charging and distribution machines 102 to be quicklydeveloped in a city or region. Quickly achieving a large network whichis geographically well distributed to serve a target population enhancesthe ability to depend on such a system and likely commercial success ofsuch an effort.

The location 112 may include an electrical service 114 to receiveelectrical power from a generating station (not shown) for example via agrid 116. The electrical service 114 may, for example, include one ormore of an electrical service meter 114 a, a circuit panel (e.g.,circuit breaker panel or fuse box) 114 b, wiring 114 c, and electricaloutlet 114 d. Where the location 112 is an existing retail orconvenience store, the electrical service 114 may be an existingelectrical service, so may be somewhat limited in rating (e.g., 120volts, 240 volts, 220 volts, 230 volts, 15 amps).

Neither the operator of the retail location 112, nor the owner,distributor or operator of the collection, charging and distributionmachine 102 may wish to bear the costs of upgrading the electricalservice 114. Yet, quick charging is desired in order to maintain anadequate supply of portable electrical energy storage devices 106available for use by end users. The ability to quickly charge whilemaintaining existing or otherwise limited rated electrical service isaddressed in U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/511,900,entitled “APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR COLLECTION, CHARGING ANDDISTRIBUTING POWER STORAGE DEVICES, SUCH AS BATTERIES” and filed Jul.26, 2011.

Optionally, the collection, charging and distribution machine 102 mayinclude or be coupled to a source of renewable electrical power. Forexample, where installed in an outside location the collection, chargingand distribution machine 102 may include an array of photovoltaic (PV)cells 118 to produce electrical power from solar insolation.Alternatively, the collection, charging and distribution machine 102 maybe electrically coupled to a microturbine (e.g., wind turbine) or PVarray positioned elsewhere at the location 112, for instance on a rooftop or pole mounted at a top of a pole (not shown).

The collection, charging and distribution machine 102 may becommunicatively coupled to one or more remotely located computersystems, such as back end or back office systems (only one shown) 120.The back end or back office systems 120 may collect data from and/orcontrol a plurality of collection, charging and distribution machine 102distributed about an area, such as a city. The communications may occurover one or more communications channels including one or more networks122, or non-networked communications channels. Communications may beover one or more wired communications channels (e.g., twisted pairwiring, optical fiber), wireless communications channels (e.g., radio,microwave, satellite, 801.11 compliant). Networked communicationschannels may include one or more local area networks (LANs), wide areanetworks (WANs), extranets, intranets, or the Internet including theWorldwide Web portion of the Internet.

The collection, charging and distribution machine 102 may include a userinterface 124. The user interface may include a variety of input/output(I/O) devices to allow an end user to interact with the collection,charging and distribution machine 102. Various I/O devices are calledout and described in reference to FIG. 2, which follows.

FIG. 2 shows the collection, charging and distribution machine 102 ofFIG. 1, according to one illustrated embodiment.

The collection, charging and distribution machine 102 includes a controlsubsystem 202, a charging subsystem 204, a communications subsystem 206,and a user interface subsystem 208.

The control subsystem 202 includes a controller 210, for example amicroprocessor, microcontroller, programmable logic controller (PLC),programmable gate array (PGA), application specific integrated circuit(ASIC) or another controller capable of receiving signals from varioussensors, performing logical operations, and sending signals to variouscomponents. Typically, the controller 210 may take the form of amicroprocessor (e.g., INTEL, AMD, ATOM). The control subsystem 202 mayalso include one or more non-transitory processor- or computer-readablestorage media, for example read only memory (ROM) 212, random accessmemory (RAM) 214, and data store 216 (e.g., solid-state storage mediasuch as flash memory or EEPROM, spinning storage media such as harddisk). The non-transitory processor- or computer-readable storage media212, 214, 216 may be in addition to any non-transitory storage medium(e.g., registers) which is part of the controller 210. The controlsubsystem 202 may include one or more buses 218 (only one illustrated)coupling various components together, for example one or more powerbuses, instruction buses, data buses, etc.

As illustrated, the ROM 212, or some other one of the non-transitoryprocessor- or computer-readable storage media 212, 214, 216, storesinstructions and/or data or values for variables or parameters. The setsof data may take a variety of forms, for example a lookup table, a setof records in a database, etc. The instructions and sets of data orvalues are executable by the controller 110. Execution of theinstructions and sets of data or values causes the controller 110 toperform specific acts to cause the collection, charging and distributionmachine 102 to collect, charge, and distribute portable energy storagedevices. Specific operation of the collection, charging and distributionmachine 102 is described herein and also below with reference to variousflow diagrams (FIGS. 7-10) in the context of being an external device tocharge the portable electrical energy storage devices 106 and provideinformation based on vehicle diagnostic data received from the portableelectrical energy storage devices 106.

The controller 210 may use RAM 214 in a conventional fashion, forvolatile storage of instructions, data, etc. The controller 210 may usedata store 216 to log or retain information, for example, vehiclediagnostic data received from the portable electrical energy storagedevices 106 and telemetric information related to collection, chargingand/or distribution or collection of the portable electric power storagedevices 106 and/or operation of the collection, charging anddistribution machine 102 itself. The instructions are executable by thecontroller 210 to control operation of the collection, charging anddistribution machine 102 in response to end user or operator input, andusing data or values for the variables or parameters.

The control subsystem 202 receives signals from various sensors and/orother components of the collection, charging and distribution machine102 which include information that characterizes or is indicative ofoperation, status, or condition of such other components. Sensors arerepresented in FIG. 2 by the letter S appearing in a circle along withappropriate subscript letters.

For example, one or more position sensors S_(P1)-S_(PN) may detect thepresence or absence of portable electrical power storage device 106 ateach of the receivers 104. The position sensors S_(P1)-S_(PN) may take avariety of forms. For example, the position sensors S_(P1)-S_(PN) maytake the form of mechanical switches that are closed, or alternativelyopened, in response to contact with a portion of a respective portableelectrical power storage device 106 when the portable electrical powerstorage device 106 is inserted into the receiver 104, or contact with amemory device of the portable electrical power storage device 106. Alsofor example, the position sensors S_(P1)-S_(PN) may take the form ofoptical switches (i.e., optical source and receiver) that are closed, oralternatively opened, in response to contact with a portion of arespective portable electrical power storage device 106 when theportable electrical power storage device 106 is inserted into thereceiver 104. Also for example, the position sensors S_(P1)-S_(PN) maytake the form of electrical sensors or switches that are closed, oralternatively opened, in response to detecting a closed circuitcondition created by contact with the terminals 110 of a respectiveportable electrical power storage device 106 when the portableelectrical power storage device 106 is inserted into the receiver 104,or an open circuit condition that results from the lack of a respectiveportable electrical power storage device 106 in the receiver 104. Theseexamples are intended to be non-limiting, and it is noted that any otherstructures and devices for detecting the presence/absence or even theinsertion of the portable electrical power storage devices 106 intoreceivers may be employed.

For example, one or more charge sensors S_(C1)-S_(CN) may detect chargeof the portable electrical power storage devices 106 at each of thereceivers 104. Charge sensors S_(C1)-S_(CN) may detect the amount ofcharge stored by the portable electrical power storage devices 106.Charge sensors S_(C1)-S_(CN) may additionally detect an amount of chargeand/or rate of charging being supplied to ones of the portableelectrical power storage devices 106 at each of the receivers 104. Suchmay allow assessment of current (i.e., temporal) charge condition orstatus of each portable electrical power storage device 106, as well asallow feedback control over charging of same, including control overrate of charging. Charge sensors S_(C1)-S_(CN) may include any varietyof current and/or voltage sensors.

For example, one or more charge sensors S_(T1) (only one shown) maydetect or sense a temperature at the receivers 104 or in the ambientenvironment.

The control subsystem 202 provides signals to various actuators and/orother components responsive to control signals, which signals includeinformation that characterizes or is indicative of an operation thecomponent is to perform or a state or condition in which the componentsshould enter. Control signals, actuators or other components responsiveto control signals are represented in FIG. 2 by the letter C appearingin a circle along with appropriate subscript letters.

For example, one or more engine control signals C_(A1)-C_(AN) may affectthe operation of one or more actuators 220 (only one illustrated). Forinstance, a control signal C_(A1) may cause movement of an actuator 220between a first and a second position or change a magnetic fieldproduced by the actuator 220. The actuator 220 may take any of a varietyof forms, including but not limited to a solenoid, an electric motorsuch as a stepper motor, or an electromagnet. The actuator 220 may becoupled to operate a latch, lock or other retainer mechanism 222. Thelatch, lock or other retainer mechanism 222 may selectively secure orretain one or more portable electrical power storage devices 106(FIG. 1) in the receiver 104 (FIG. 1). For instance, the latch, lock orother retainer mechanism 222 may physically couple to a complimentarystructure that is part of a housing of the portable electrical powerstorage devices 106 (FIG. 1). Alternatively, the latch, lock or otherretainer mechanism 222 may magnetically couple to a complimentarystructure that is part of a housing of the portable electrical powerstorage devices 106 (FIG. 1). Also for instance, the latch, lock orother mechanism may open a receiver 104 (FIG. 1), or may allow areceiver 104 to be opened, to receive a partially or fully dischargedportable electrical power storage device 106 for charging. For example,the actuator may open and/or close a door to the receiver 104 (FIG. 1),to selectively provide access to a portable electrical power storagedevice 106 (FIG. 1) received therein. Also, for example, the actuatormay open and/or close a latch or lock, allowing an end user to openand/or close a door to the receiver 104 (FIG. 1), to selectively provideaccess to a portable electrical power storage device 106 (FIG. 1)received therein.

The control subsystem 202 may include one or more ports 224 a to providecontrol signals to one or more ports 224 b of the charging subsystem206. The ports 224 a, 224 b may provide bi-directional communications.The control subsystem 202 may include one or more ports 226 a to providecontrol signals to one or more ports 226 b of the user interfacesubsystem 208. The ports 226 a, 226 b may provide bi-directionalcommunications.

The charging subsystem 204 includes various electrical and electroniccomponents to charge portable electrical power storage devices 106 whenpositioned or received in the receivers 104. For example, the chargingsubsystem 204 may include one or more power buses or power bus bars,relays, contactors or other switches (e.g., insulated gate bipolartransistors or IGBTs, metal oxide semiconductor transistors or MOSFETs),rectifier bridge(s), current sensors, ground fault circuitry, etc. Theelectrical power is supplied via contacts that can take any of a varietyof forms, for instance terminals, leads, posts, etc. The contacts allowelectrical coupling of various components. Some possible implementationsare illustrated in FIG. 2. Such is not intended to be exhaustive.Additional components may be employed while other components may beomitted.

The illustrated charging subsystem 204 includes a first power converter230 that receives electrical power from the electrical service 114(FIG. 1) via a line or cord 232. The power will typically be in the formof single, two or three phase AC electrical power. As such, the firstpower converter 230 may need to convert and otherwise condition theelectrical power received via the electrical services 114 (FIG. 1), forexample for rectifying an AC waveform to DC, transforming voltage,current, phase, as well as reducing transients and noise. Thus, thefirst power converter 230 may include a transformer 234, rectifier 236,DC/DC power converter 238, and filter(s) 240.

The transformer 234 may take the form of any variety of commerciallyavailable transformers with suitable ratings for handling the powerreceived via the electrical service 114 (FIG. 1). Some embodiments mayemploy multiple transformers. The transformer 234 may advantageouslyprovide galvanic isolation between the components of the collection,charging and distribution machine 102 and the grid 116 (FIG. 1). Therectifier 236 may take any of variety of forms, for example a fullbridge diode rectifier or a switch mode rectifier. The rectifier 236 maybe operated to transform AC electrical power to DC electrical power. TheDC/DC power converter 238 may be any of a large variety of forms. Forexample, DC/DC power converter 238 may take the form a switch mode DC/DCpower converter, for instance employing IGBTs or MOSFETs in a half orfull bridge configuration, and may include one or more inductors. TheDC/DC power converter 238 may have any number of topologies including aboost converter, buck converter, synchronous buck converter, buck-boostconverter or fly-back converter. The filter(s) 240 may include one ormore capacitors, resistors, Zener diodes or other elements to suppressvoltage spikes, or to remove or reduce transients and/or noise.

The illustrated charging subsystem 204 may also receive electrical powerfrom a renewable power source, for example the PV array 118 (FIG. 1).Such may be converted or conditioned by the first power converter 230,for example being supplied directly to the DC/DC power converter 238,bypassing the transformer 236 and/or rectifier 236. Alternatively, theillustrated charging subsystem 204 may include a dedicated powerconverter to convert or otherwise condition such electrical power.

The illustrated charging subsystem 204 may optionally include secondpower converter 242 that receives electrical power from one or moreportable electrical power storage devices 106 (FIG. 1) via one or morelines 244, for charging other ones of the portable electrical powerstorage devices 106. As such, the second power converter 242 may need toconvert and/or otherwise condition the electrical power received fromportable electrical power storage devices 106, for example optionallytransforming voltage or current, as well as reducing transients andnoise. Thus, the second power converter 242 may optionally include aDC/DC power converter 246 and/or filter(s) 248. Various types of DC/DCpower converters and filters are discussed above.

The illustrated charging subsystem 204 includes a plurality of switches250 responsive to the control signals delivered via ports 224 a, 224 bfrom the control subsystem 202. The switches may be operable toselectively couple a first number or set of portable electrical powerstorage devices 106 to be charged from electrical power supplied by boththe electrical service via the first power converter 230 and fromelectrical power supplied by a second number or set of portableelectrical power storage devices 106. The first number or set ofportable electrical power storage devices 106 may include a singleportable electrical power storage device 106, two, or even more portableelectrical power storage devices 106. The second number or set ofportable electrical power storage devices 106 may include a singleportable electrical power storage device 106, two, or even more portableelectrical power storage devices 106. The portable electrical powerstorage devices 106 are represented in FIG. 2 as loads L₁, L₂-L_(N).

The communications subsystem 206 may additionally include one or morecommunications modules or components which facilitate communicationswith the various components of a back end or back office system 120(FIG. 1) and/or various components of the portable electrical powerstorage devices 106. The communications subsystem 206 may, for example,include one or more modems 252 or one or more Ethernet or other types ofcommunications cards or components 254. A port 256 a of the controlsubsystem 202 may communicatively couple the control subsystem 202 witha port 256 b of the communications subsystem 206. The communicationssubsystem 206 may provide wired and/or wireless communications. Forexample, the communications subsystem 206 may provide componentsenabling short range (e.g., via Bluetooth, near field communication(NFC), radio frequency identification (RFID) components and protocols)or longer range wireless communications (e.g., over a wireless LAN,satellite, or cellular network) with various other devices external tothe collection, charging and distribution machine 102, including theportable electrical energy storage devices 106. The communicationssubsystem 206 may include one or more ports, wireless receivers,wireless transmitters or wireless transceivers to provide wirelesssignal paths to the various remote components or systems. The remotecommunications subsystem 206 may include one or more bridges or routerssuitable to handle network traffic including switched packet typecommunications protocols (TCP/IP), Ethernet or other networkingprotocols.

The user interface system 208 includes one or more user input/output(I/O) components. For example, user interface system 208 may include atouch screen display 208 a, operable to present information and agraphical user interface (GUI) to an end user and to receive indicationsof user selections. The user interface system 208 may include a keyboardor keypad 208 b, and/or a cursor controller (e.g., mouse, trackball,trackpad) (not illustrated) to allow an end user to enter informationand/or select user selectable icons in a GUI. The user interface system208 may include a speaker 208 c to provide aural messages to an end userand/or a microphone 208 d to receive spoken user input such as spokencommands.

The user interface system 208 may include a card reader 208 e to readinformation from card type media 209. The card reader 208 e may take avariety of forms. For instance, the card reader 208 e may take the formof, or include, a magnetic stripe reader for reading information encodedin a magnetic stripe carried by a card 209. For instance, the cardreader 208 e may take the form of, or include, a machine-readable symbol(e.g., barcode, matrix code) card reader for reading information encodedin a machine-readable symbol carried by a card 209. For instance, thecard reader 208 e may take the form of, or include, a smart card readerfor reading information encoded in a non-transitory medium carried by acard 209. Such may, for instance, include media employing radiofrequency identification (RFID) transponders or electronic payment chips(e.g., near filed communications (NFC) chips). Thus, the card reader 208e may be able to read information from a variety of card media 209, forinstance credit cards, debit cards, gift cards, prepaid cards, as wellas identification media such as drivers licenses. The card reader 208 emay also be able to read information encoded in a non-transitory mediumcarried by the portable electrical energy storage devices 106, and mayalso include RFID transponders, transceivers, NFC chips and/or othercommunication devices to communicate information to the portableelectrical energy storage devices 106 (e.g., for authentication of theportable electrical energy storage devices 106 and/or authentication ofthe collection, charging and distribution machine 102 to the portableelectrical energy storage devices 106).

The user interface system 208 may include a bill acceptor 208 f and avalidator and/or coin acceptor 208 g to accept and validate cashpayments. Such may be highly useful in servicing populations who lackaccess to credit. Bill acceptor and validator 208 f and/or coin acceptor208 g may take any variety of forms, for example those that arecurrently commercially available and used in various vending machinesand kiosks.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the portable electrical energy storagedevice 106 z of FIG. 1, according to one non-limiting illustratedembodiment.

Shown is a portable electrical energy storage device housing 302,electrical terminals 110 a, 110 b, a battery cell 304, diagnostic datastorage system 306, a secure access panel 314 and a diagnostic datastorage system connection port 318. The battery cell 304 is anyrechargeable type of electrochemical cell that converts stored chemicalenergy into electrical energy. As described above, the electricalterminals 110 a, 110 b are accessible from an exterior of the portableelectrical energy storage device 106 z. The electrical terminals 110allow charge to be delivered from the portable electrical energy storagedevice 106 z, as well as allow charge to be delivered to the portableelectrical energy storage device 106 z for charging or recharging thesame through conductive terminal connections 312 a and 312 b to thebattery cell 304. While illustrated in FIG. 3 as posts, the electricalterminals 110 a and 110 b may take any other form which is accessiblefrom an exterior of the portable electrical energy storage device 106 z,including electrical terminals positioned within slots in the batteryhousing 302.

The diagnostic data storage system 306 is attached (fixedly orremovably) directly or indirectly to an interior of the housing 302 andis operably coupled to the diagnostic data storage system connectionport 318 via communications line 316 which travels through the housing302 to the system connection port 318 that is accessible from theexterior of the portable electrical energy storage device 106 z. Thecommunications line 316 is configured to receive vehicle diagnostic datafrom external sources (e.g., a vehicle diagnostic system) through thediagnostic data storage system connection port 318 and communicate suchdata to the diagnostic data storage system 306 for storage in thediagnostic data storage system 306. For example, the communications line316 is configured to receive vehicle diagnostic data from a vehiclewhile the portable electrical energy storage device 106 z is operablyinstalled in the vehicle. In other embodiments, the communications line316 is configured to receive vehicle diagnostic data from a vehiclewhile the portable electrical energy storage device 106 z is notoperably installed in the vehicle. For example, the portable electricalenergy storage device 106 z may be connected the communications line 316to a diagnostic system of the vehicle and be able to receive diagnosticdata from the vehicle, while the electrical terminals 110 of theportable electrical energy storage device 106 z are not operablyconnected to the vehicle (such as when the portable electrical energystorage device 106 z is in the process of being installed oruninstalled, or is placed in the vehicle temporarily for the purpose ofdownloading vehicle diagnostic data, but not for powering the vehicle).

Such diagnostic data includes, but is not limited to, informationregarding one or more of: status or condition of the vehicle or enginesystems, such as data available through on-board diagnostics interfacessuch as ALDL, OBD-1, OBD-1.5, OBD-II, EOBD, EOBD2, JOBD, and ADR.Specific examples of diagnostic data includes information regarding thestatus or condition of a vehicle systems or subsystems, engine systemsor subsystems, one or more electrical systems of the vehicle, health ofthe vehicle, oil level of the vehicle, brake pad condition of thevehicle, one or more vehicle lights, engine temperature of the vehicle,mileage of the vehicle, one or more fluid levels of the vehicle, theelectrical energy storage device, and current odometer reading of thevehicle.

The diagnostic data storage system connection port 318 may be operablyconnected to a vehicle diagnostic system or may be configured to beoperably connected to any number of vehicle subsystems configured tooutput diagnostic data regarding the particular corresponding vehiclesubsystem. The diagnostic data storage system connection port 318 isconfigured to be compatible with one or more output ports of therespective vehicle diagnostic system or vehicle subsystem to which it isconnected. In some embodiments, the diagnostic data storage systemconnection port 318 is operably coupled to a vehicle diagnostic system(e.g., the vehicle diagnostic system 418 shown in FIG. 4) as theportable electrical energy storage device 106 z is operably placed orinstalled in the vehicle. For example, the diagnostic data storagesystem connection port 318 may be positioned on the exterior of theportable electrical energy storage device 106 z housing 302 such that italigns and connects with a corresponding output port of the vehiclediagnostic system 418 (shown in FIG. 4) when the portable electricalenergy storage device 106 z is properly placed or installed in thevehicle. The communications line 316 is also configured to send vehiclediagnostic data to external sources (e.g., a portable electrical energystorage device collection, charging and distribution machine 102, amobile device, a server, etc.) from the diagnostic data storage system306 through the diagnostic data storage system connection port 318.

The diagnostic data storage system 306 is operably coupled to thebattery cell 304 via one or more power lines 308 in a manner such thatthe diagnostic data storage system 306 may receive power for operationof the diagnostic data storage system 306 to store vehicle diagnosticdata. In other embodiments, the diagnostic data storage system 306 mayreceive power from other external sources or may be a system which doesnot require its own power to store the diagnostic data.

The access panel 314 is located on the housing 302 and is configured toprovide access to the diagnostic data storage system 306 for inspection,diagnosis, replacement, and/or repair of the diagnostic data storagesystem 306 and/or any components of the diagnostic data storage system306. The access panel 314 may also include a lock, be tamper resistantor include other security elements to limit access to the diagnosticdata storage system 306. The access panel 314 may also include weatherproofing components such as a seal or other protective components toprotect the diagnostic data storage system 306 from external elements.In other embodiments, the diagnostic data storage system 306 may insteadbe fixedly or removably attached to an exterior of the housing 302. Insuch instances, the communications line would not travel through thehousing 302. However, in such embodiments, the power line 308 to thebattery cell 304, if present, would travel through the housing 302.

In some embodiments, the diagnostic data storage system 306 isconfigured to receive and/or send vehicle diagnostic data wirelessly toor from an external device. For example, the diagnostic data storagesystem 306 may be configured to receive vehicle diagnostic datawirelessly from the vehicle or external diagnostics system and/or sendstored vehicle diagnostic data wirelessly to the portable electricalenergy storage device collection, charging and distribution machine 102or other remote device, such as a portable computer or smartphone. Insuch embodiments, the communications line 316 and the diagnostic datastorage system connection port 318 may or may not be present as thediagnostic data storage system 306 may be configured to send and/orreceive vehicle diagnostic data wirelessly instead of, or in additionto, being configured to send and/or receive vehicle diagnostic data viathe communications line 316 and the diagnostic data storage systemconnection port 318.

The housing 302 is constructed of a polymer or other durable material ofsufficient thickness to protect the battery cell 304 and diagnostic datastorage system 306 from outside elements and tampering. For example thewalls of the housing may be at least approximately .25 inch thick andcompletely surround the battery cell 304 and diagnostic data storagesystem 306 (except for, in some embodiments, a small vent hole in thehousing) such that the battery cell 304 and diagnostic data storagesystem 306 cannot be accessed without a key or other specialized tool toopen the locked access panel 314.

The housing 302 may provide a protection to prevent or deter tampering,and may be formed of suitably strong and resilient materials (e.g., ABSplastic). Such may not only prevent or deter tampering, but may leave avisible indication of any tampering attempts. For example, the housing302 may include a strong outer layer of a first color (e.g., black)within an inner layer of a second color (e.g., fluorescent orange) therebeneath. Such will render attempts to cut through the housing 302visibly apparent.

FIG. 4A is a schematic view of the diagnostic data storage system 306 ofFIG. 3 coupled to a vehicle diagnostic system 418, according to onenon-limiting illustrated embodiment.

The diagnostic data storage system 306 includes a controller 410, acommunications subsystem 406, read only memory (ROM) 412, random accessmemory (RAM) 414 and other storage 416.

The controller 410, for example is a microprocessor, microcontroller,programmable logic controller (PLC), programmable gate array (PGA),application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or another controllercapable of receiving signals from various sensors, performing logicaloperations, and sending signals to various components. Typically, thecontroller 410 may take the form of a microprocessor (e.g., INTEL, AMD,ATOM). The diagnostic data storage system 306 may also include one ormore non-transitory processor- or computer-readable storage media, forexample read only memory (ROM) 412, random access memory (RAM) 414, andother storage 416 (e.g., solid-state storage media such as flash memoryor EEPROM, spinning storage media such as hard disk). The non-transitoryprocessor- or computer-readable storage media 412, 414, 416 may be inaddition to any non-transitory storage medium (e.g., registers) which ispart of the controller 410. The diagnostic data storage system 306 mayinclude one or more buses 418 (only one illustrated) coupling variouscomponents together, for example one or more power buses, instructionbuses, data buses, etc.

As illustrated, the ROM 412, or some other one of the non-transitoryprocessor- or computer-readable storage media 412, 414, 416, storesinstructions and/or data or values for variables or parameters. The setsof data may take a variety of forms, for example a lookup table, a setof records in a database, etc. The instructions and sets of data orvalues are executable by the controller 410. Execution of theinstructions and sets of data or values causes the controller 410 toperform specific acts to cause the diagnostic data storage system 306 toreceive, store and send vehicle diagnostic data, such as data receivedfrom the vehicle diagnostic system. The diagnostic data may be stored inone or more of the ROM 412, RAM 414 and other storage 416 in a varietyof forms and formats including, but not limited to a lookup table, a setof records in a database, etc. The diagnostic data may be stored in aformat, or converted to and then stored in a format in compliance with astandard format for vehicle diagnostic data or other format compatibleor readable by various external devices. Also, various metadata relatedto the diagnostic data may also be stored in one or more of the ROM 412and other storage 416, including but not limited to: associations orindications of associations of the diagnostic data with a particularvehicle and/or user; date and time information associated withparticular diagnostic data, vehicle information associated with thediagnostic data, categories or types of the diagnostic data, vehiclepart information associated with parts needing replaced based on thediagnostic data, etc. Specific operation of the diagnostic data storagesystem 306 is described herein and also below with reference to variousflow diagrams (FIGS. 5-10).

The controller 410 may use RAM 414 in a conventional fashion, forvolatile storage of instructions, data, etc. The controller 410 may usedata store 416 to log or retain information, for example, informationregarding user profile information, vehicle profile information,security codes, credentials, security certificates, passwords, thesubscription level of users, demographic information of users such as(income level, gender, age, net worth, marital status, etc.),information regarding user vehicle locations and telematic and/ortelemetric user vehicle information, vehicle diagnostic data,information regarding portable electrical energy storage device chargecapacity, information regarding route information of users, historicdata, etc. The instructions are executable by the controller 410 tocontrol operation of the diagnostic data storage system 306 in responseto input from remote and/or external systems such as those of externaldevices including but not limited to: the vehicle diagnostic system 418;charging devices; vehicles; user identification devices (cards,electronic keys, etc.); portable electrical energy device collection,charging and distribution machines; collection, charging anddistribution machine service systems; user mobile devices; uservehicles; and end user or operator input.

The controller 410 may also receive signals from various sensors and/orcomponents of an external device via the communications subsystem 206 ofcollection, charging and distribution machine 102. This information mayinclude information that characterizes or is indicative of theauthenticity, authorization level, operation, status, or condition ofsuch components.

The communications subsystem 406 may include one or more communicationsmodules or components which facilitates communications with the variouscomponents of external devices (e.g., such as to receive vehiclediagnostic data from the vehicle diagnostic system 418) and also thevarious components of the collection, charging and distribution machine102 of FIG. 1 (e.g., such as to send vehicle diagnostic data, profileand/or vehicle profile information, and/or historic data stored by thediagnostic data storage system 306, receive software updates or dataupdates of user profile and/or vehicle profile information) and one ormore user mobile communication devices, such that data may be exchangedbetween the devices for authentication purposes. Such diagnostic dataand software updates, and data updates of user profile and/or vehicleprofile information may include information received from or originatingfrom (either directly or indirectly) an external device or system (e.g.,a user's mobile device) or from other external systems such as via websites configured to prompt for and/or accept such data from a user, webservers, collection charging and distribution machines, collectioncharging and distribution machine managements systems, other networknodes or locations, etc. These instructions and/or other data mayinclude information that may be used to automatically adjust settings ofthe vehicle or make other modifications to the vehicle by the vehiclediagnostic system or other vehicle system when the correspondingelectrical energy storage device is placed in or is in (or at whichpoint it becomes in) communication with the vehicle via thecommunications subsystem 406. These settings of the vehicle or othermodifications to the vehicle may include settings regarding, but notlimited to, one or more of: user preference settings, user profilepreference settings, engine settings, electrical system settings, seatsettings, steering settings, braking system settings, turn signalsettings, navigation system settings, electrical energy storage deviceusage preference settings, electrical energy storage device usage levelsettings, electrical energy storage device usage limit settings, drivingpreferences, limits or preferences on vehicle electrical energy use,electrical energy storage device type preference settings, vehiclesecurity settings, electrical energy storage device security settings,vehicle user interface settings, vehicle maintenance settings, vehiclemaintenance reminder settings, vehicle usage authorization settings,electrical energy storage device usage authorization settings, vehiclecommunication system preference settings, reminder settings, collection,charging and distribution machine location preferences, route settings,vehicle warning or alarm settings, vehicle range or distance settings,vehicle option settings, etc.

The communications subsystem 406 may provide wired and/or wirelesscommunications. The communications subsystem 406 may include one or moreports, wireless receivers, wireless transmitters or wirelesstransceivers to provide wireless signal paths to the various remotecomponents or systems. The communications subsystem 406 may, forexample, include components enabling short range (e.g., via Bluetooth,near field communication (NFC), radio frequency identification (RFID)components and protocols) or longer range wireless communications (e.g.,over a wireless LAN, satellite, or cellular network) and may include oneor more modems or one or more Ethernet or other types of communicationscards or components for doing so. The remote communications subsystem406 may include one or more bridges or routers suitable to handlenetwork traffic including switched packet type communications protocols(TCP/IP), Ethernet or other networking protocols.

The controller 410 may be also configured to receive informationregarding the vehicle and/or user with which the vehicle diagnosticsystem 418 is associated and store the received diagnostic dataaccordingly. For example, diagnostic data for a variety of particularvehicles may be stored in ROM 412 by the processor and associated withthe corresponding vehicle in metadata stored in ROM 412. The controller410 may be configured to receive requests for the diagnostic data fromvarious external devices, and in response, provide such requested data,or indicate that such data is not available. In some embodiments, thecontroller 410 may be configured to perform search, edit, sort, deleteand other database functionalities to manage the stored vehiclediagnostic data and identify and retrieve particular requested vehiclediagnostic data. The controller 410 may be configured to identify orauthenticate various external devices before providing such vehiclediagnostic data by verifying codes, credentials or other informationreceived from external devices with stored information. In someembodiments, the controller and/or communications subsystem 406 isconfigured to encrypt and/or decrypt information communicated betweenthe diagnostic data storage system 306 and external devices (e.g.,between the diagnostic data storage system 306 and the portableelectrical energy storage device collection, charging and distributionmachine 102 or user mobile device).

In some embodiments, some of the components of the diagnostic datastorage system 306 shown in FIG. 4A may not be present or may be locatedoutside the diagnostic data storage system 306. For example, in someembodiments, the diagnostic data storage system 306 may comprise amemory device such as the ROM 412 configured to store vehicle diagnosticdata while the other components shown in FIG. 4A (e.g., the controller410 and communications subsystem 406) are not present or are locatedoutside the diagnostic data storage system 306 (e.g., are instead partof the vehicle diagnostic system 418).

The vehicle diagnostic system 418 may be one or more diagnostic systemsof a vehicle and is configured to track and/or store and communicatevehicle diagnostic data. Such diagnostic data includes, but is notlimited to, information regarding one or more of: status or condition ofthe vehicle, condition of an engine of the vehicle, one or moreelectrical systems of the vehicle, health of the vehicle, oil level ofthe vehicle, brake pad condition of the vehicle, status of one or morevehicle lights, engine temperature of the vehicle, mileage of thevehicle, one or more fluid levels of the vehicle, condition or status ofthe electrical energy storage device, and current odometer reading ofthe vehicle.

The power line 308 is configured to provide power for operation of oneor more of the various components of the diagnostic data storage systemincluding the controller 410, a communications subsystem 406, read onlymemory (ROM) 412, random access memory (RAM) 414 and other storage 416.For example, the power line 308 may be operably coupled to a powersource such as the battery cell 304 of the portable electrical energystorage device 106 z (as shown in FIG. 3) and/or another power sourcelocated in the vehicle.

FIG. 4B is an illustration of example information displayed on a userinterface screen 420 regarding vehicle diagnostic data received from thediagnostic data storage system 306 of FIG. 3 and FIG. 4A, according toone non-limiting illustrated embodiment.

For example, the information shown in FIG. 4B may be displayed on a userinterface screen 420 of the portable electrical energy storage devicecollection, charging and distribution machine 102 after the user placesthe portable electrical energy storage device 106 z in the portableelectrical energy storage device collection, charging and distributionmachine 102. In one embodiment, once the user places the portableelectrical energy storage device 106 z in the portable electrical energystorage device collection, charging and distribution machine 102, aconnection is established between the portable electrical energy storagedevice collection, charging and distribution machine 102 and theportable electrical energy storage device 106 z (wirelessly and/or viathe via the diagnostic data storage system connection port 318). Theportable electrical energy storage device collection, charging anddistribution machine 102 then reads vehicle diagnostic data stored onthe diagnostic data storage system 306 of the portable electrical energystorage device 106 z and provides information regarding the diagnosticdata to the user. FIG. 4B shows one example of providing suchinformation regarding the diagnostic data read from the diagnostic datastorage system 306 of the portable electrical energy storage device 106z. For example, shown in FIG. 4B is a vehicle diagnostic reportdisplaying a suggestion 424 to consider replacing the vehicle tail lightand a suggestion 426 to consider replacing the vehicle brake pads. Thisinformation is provided based on the diagnostic data read from thediagnostic data storage system 306 indicating excessive brake pad wearand a faulty tail light. Additional related information may be providedincluding, but not limited to: information regarding availability ofparticular vehicle parts at the portable electrical energy storagedevice collection, charging and distribution machine 102 that may beuseful in resolving an identified potential problem, instructionalinformation regarding resolving an identified problem, locationinformation of where to locate replacement vehicle parts, time remaininguntil a system check is recommended, etc. Also shown is a selectablebutton or icon 428 that the user may select to acknowledge the user hasseen the information and to continue to a next screen or quit.

The information shown in FIG. 4B may be displayed on a screen of theportable electrical energy storage device collection, charging anddistribution machine 102 or otherwise communicated to a user as part of,or independently from, the process of exchanging or returning a portableelectrical energy storage device 106 z at the portable electrical energystorage device collection, charging and distribution machine 102 by theuser. For example, a user may stop at the portable electrical energystorage device collection, charging and distribution machine 102 solelyto check on the status or condition of the vehicle by obtaininginformation regarding the vehicle diagnostic data stored on thediagnostic data storage system 306 without needing to exchange, drop offor even remove the portable electrical energy storage device 106 z fromthe vehicle in some embodiments (such as in embodiments where thevehicle diagnostic data is communicated wirelessly from the diagnosticdata storage system 306 to the portable electrical energy storage devicecollection, charging and distribution machine 102).

In some embodiments, the information shown in FIG. 4B may be displayedon a user interface screen 420 of a mobile device of a user associatedwith the vehicle currently using (or that had previously used) theportable electrical energy storage device 106 z. For example, oncewithin wireless communications range of the diagnostic data storagesystem 306, the diagnostic data storage system 306 may authenticate thewireless mobile device and automatically push the stored vehiclediagnostic data to the mobile device, or upon request from the mobiledevice for the vehicle diagnostic data. The diagnostic data storagesystem 306 may also authenticate the user associated with the mobiledevice as being a user associated with the vehicle and/or the diagnosticdata storage system 306. For example, such authentication informationregarding the association of the user with the vehicle and/or thediagnostic data storage system 306 may be communicated to the diagnosticdata storage system 306 from the portable electrical energy storagedevice collection, charging and distribution machine 102 when theportable electrical energy storage device 106 z having the diagnosticdata storage system 306 is retrieved from the portable electrical energystorage device collection, charging and distribution machine 102 by theuser who has been identified by the portable electrical energy storagedevice collection, charging and distribution machine 102.

Once the portable electrical energy storage device 106 z is placed inthe portable electrical energy storage device collection, charging anddistribution machine 102 in the process of a user returning orexchanging the portable electrical energy storage device 106 z at theportable electrical energy storage device collection, charging anddistribution machine 102, and the information regarding the vehiclediagnostic data has been provided to the user or otherwise utilized, theportable electrical energy storage device collection, charging anddistribution machine 102 may initiate a deletion of the vehiclediagnostic data from the diagnostic data storage system 306 or cause thestored vehicle identification data to be able to be overwritten (e.g.,to make room for storage of vehicle diagnostic data of other vehicles inwhich the portable electrical energy storage device 106 z will be used).In some embodiments, the currently stored vehicle diagnostic data may bedeleted or caused to be able to be overwritten by the diagnostic datastorage system 306 or vehicle diagnostic system 418 upon re-connectionof the diagnostic data storage system 306 to the vehicle diagnosticsystem 418, or upon connection to a different vehicle than that which isassociated with the currently stored vehicle diagnostic data on thediagnostic data storage system 306.

FIG. 5 shows a high level method 500 of operating the diagnostic datastorage system 306 of FIGS. 3 and 4A, according to one non-limitingillustrated embodiment.

At 502, the diagnostic data storage system 306 receives diagnostic dataregarding a vehicle.

At 504, the diagnostic data storage system 306 stores at least some ofthe diagnostic data in a memory device attached to an electrical energystorage device configured to provide power to a vehicle.

FIG. 6 shows a low level method 600 of operating the diagnostic datastorage system 306 of FIGS. 3 and 4A, according to one non-limitingillustrated embodiment, including enabling data to be provided to anexternal device, useful in the method of FIG. 5.

At 602, the diagnostic data storage system 306 enables at least somediagnostic data stored on the at least one memory device (e.g., at leastsome of the diagnostic data stored on the at least one memory device inthe method 500) to be provided to an external device

FIG. 7 shows a high level method 700 of operating the portableelectrical energy storage device collection, charging and distributionmachine 102 of FIGS. 1 and 2, according to one non-limiting illustratedembodiment.

At 702, the portable electrical energy storage device collection,charging and distribution machine 102 detects presence of a portableelectrical energy storage device configured to provide power to avehicle.

At 704, the portable electrical energy storage device collection,charging and distribution machine 102 receives vehicle diagnostic dataregarding the vehicle from the portable electrical energy storagedevice.

At 706, the portable electrical energy storage device collection,charging and distribution machine 102 provides information from theportable electrical energy storage device collection, charging anddistribution machine 102 based on the received vehicle diagnostic data.

FIG. 8 shows a low level method 800 of operating the portable electricalenergy storage device collection, charging and distribution machine 102of FIGS. 1 and 2, according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment,including receiving the vehicle diagnostic data from a memory device,useful in the method of FIG. 7.

At 802, the portable electrical energy storage device collection,charging and distribution machine 102 receives the vehicle diagnosticdata from a memory device attached to the portable electrical energystorage device on which the vehicle diagnostic data is stored.

FIG. 9 shows a low level method 900 of operating the portable electricalenergy storage device collection, charging and distribution machine 102of FIGS. 1 and 2, according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment,including displaying the provided information, useful in the method ofFIG. 7.

At 902, the portable electrical energy storage device collection,charging and distribution machine 102 displays the information on adisplay of the portable electrical energy storage device collection,charging and distribution machine 102.

FIG. 10 shows a high level method 1000 of operating the portableelectrical energy storage device collection, charging and distributionmachine 102 of FIGS. 1 and 2, according to another non-limitingillustrated embodiment.

At 1002, the portable electrical energy storage device collection,charging and distribution machine 102 receives vehicle diagnostic dataregarding a vehicle from a portable electrical energy storage deviceconfigured to power the vehicle.

At 1004, the portable electrical energy storage device collection,charging and distribution machine 102 provides information based on thereceived vehicle diagnostic data to a user associated with the vehicle(e.g., to a user's mobile device).

The foregoing detailed description has set forth various embodiments ofthe devices and/or processes via the use of block diagrams, schematics,and examples. Insofar as such block diagrams, schematics, and examplescontain one or more functions and/or operations, it will be understoodby those skilled in the art that each function and/or operation withinsuch block diagrams, flowcharts, or examples can be implemented,individually and/or collectively, by a wide range of hardware, software,firmware, or virtually any combination thereof. In one embodiment, thepresent subject matter may be implemented via one or moremicrocontrollers. However, those skilled in the art will recognize thatthe embodiments disclosed herein, in whole or in part, can beequivalently implemented in standard integrated circuits (e.g.,Application Specific Integrated Circuits or ASICs), as one or morecomputer programs executed by one or more computers (e.g., as one ormore programs running on one or more computer systems), as one or moreprograms executed by on one or more controllers (e.g., microcontrollers)as one or more programs executed by one or more processors (e.g.,microprocessors), as firmware, or as virtually any combination thereof,and that designing the circuitry and/or writing the code for thesoftware and/or firmware would be well within the skill of one ofordinary skill in the art in light of the teachings of this disclosure.

When logic is implemented as software and stored in memory, logic orinformation can be stored on any non-transitory computer-readable mediumfor use by or in connection with any processor-related system or method.In the context of this disclosure, a memory is a nontransitory computer-or processor-readable storage medium that is an electronic, magnetic,optical, or other physical device or means that non-transitorilycontains or stores a computer and/or processor program. Logic and/or theinformation can be embodied in any computer-readable medium for use byor in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, ordevice, such as a computer-based system, processor-containing system, orother system that can fetch the instructions from the instructionexecution system, apparatus, or device and execute the instructionsassociated with logic and/or information.

In the context of this specification, a “computer-readable medium” canbe any physical element that can store the program associated with logicand/or information for use by or in connection with the instructionexecution system, apparatus, and/or device. The computer-readable mediumcan be, for example, but is not limited to, an electronic, magnetic,optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatusor device. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of thecomputer readable medium would include the following: a portablecomputer diskette (magnetic, compact flash card, secure digital, or thelike), a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), anerasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM, EEPROM, or Flash memory),a portable compact disc read-only memory (CDROM), and digital tape.

The various embodiments described above can be combined to providefurther embodiments. To the extent that they are not inconsistent withthe specific teachings and definitions herein, all of the U.S. patents,U.S. patent application publications, U.S. patent applications, foreignpatents, foreign patent applications and non-patent publicationsreferred to in this specification and/or listed in the Application DataSheet, including but not limited to: U.S. provisional patent applicationSer. No. 61/511,900 entitled “APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FORCOLLECTION, CHARGING AND DISTRIBUTING POWER STORAGE DEVICES, SUCH ASBATTERIES” and filed Jul. 26, 2011 (Attorney Docket No. 170178.401P1),U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/647,936 entitled“APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR COLLECTION, CHARGING AND DISTRIBUTINGPOWER STORAGE DEVICES, SUCH AS BATTERIES” and filed May 16, 2012(Attorney Docket No. 170178.401P2), U.S. provisional patent applicationSer. No. 61/534,753 entitled “APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FORREDISTRIBUTING POWER STORAGE DEVICES, SUCH AS BATTERIES, BETWEENCOLLECTION, CHARGING AND DISTRIBUTION MACHINES” and filed Sep. 14, 2011(Atty. Docket No. 170178.402P1), U.S. provisional patent applicationSer. No. 61/534,761 entitled “APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FORAUTHENTICATION, SECURITY AND CONTROL OF POWER STORAGE DEVICES SUCH ASBATTERIES” and filed Sep. 14, 2011 (Attorney Docket No. 170178.403P1),U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/534,772 entitled“APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR AUTHENTICATION, SECURITY AND CONTROLOF POWER STORAGE DEVICES, SUCH AS BATTERIES, BASED ON USER PROFILES” andfiled Sep. 14, 2011 (Attorney Docket No. 170178.404P1), U.S. provisionalpatent application Ser. No. 61/511,887 entitled “THERMAL MANAGEMENT OFCOMPONENTS IN ELECTRIC MOTOR DRIVE VEHICLES” and filed Jul. 26, 2011(Atty. Docket No. 170178.406P1), U.S. provisional patent applicationSer. No. 61/647,941 entitled “THERMAL MANAGEMENT OF COMPONENTS INELECTRIC MOTOR DRIVE VEHICLES” and filed May 16, 2012 (Atty. Docket No.170178.406P2), U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/511,880entitled “DYNAMICALLY LIMITING VEHICLE OPERATION FOR BEST EFFORTECONOMY” and filed Jul. 26, 2011 (Atty. Docket No. 170178.407P1), U.S.provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/557,170 entitled “APPARATUS,METHOD, AND ARTICLE FOR PHYSICAL SECURITY OF POWER STORAGE DEVICES INVEHICLES” and filed Nov. 8, 2011 (Atty. Docket No. 170178.408P1), U.S.provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/581,566 entitled APPARATUS,METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR A POWER STORAGE DEVICE COMPARTMENT’ and filedDec. 29, 2011 (Atty. Docket No. 170178.412P1), U.S. provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 61/601,404 entitled “APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLEFOR PROVIDING VEHICLE DIAGNOSTIC DATA” and filed Feb. 21, 2012 (Atty.Docket No. 170178.417P1), U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No.61/601,949 entitled “APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR PROVIDINGLOCATIONS OF POWER STORAGE DEVICE COLLECTION, CHARGING AND DISTRIBUTIONMACHINES” and filed Feb. 22, 2012 (Atty. Docket No. 170178.418P1), andU.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/601,953 entitled“APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR PROVIDING INFORMATION REGARDINGAVAILABILITY OF POWER STORAGE DEVICES AT A POWER STORAGE DEVICECOLLECTION, CHARGING AND DISTRIBUTION MACHINE” and filed Feb. 22, 2012(Atty. Docket No. 170178.419P1), U.S. application Ser. No. ______ filedon Jul. 26, 2012, naming Hok-Sum Horace Luke, Matthew Whiting Taylor andHuang-Cheng Hung as inventors and entitled “APPARATUS, METHOD ANDARTICLE FOR COLLECTION, CHARGING AND DISTRIBUTING POWER STORAGE DEVICES,SUCH AS BATTERIES” (Atty. Docket No. 170178.401), U.S. application Ser.No. ______ filed on Jul 26, 2012, naming Hok-Sum Horace Luke and MatthewWhiting Taylor as inventors and entitled “APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLEFOR AUTHENTICATION, SECURITY AND CONTROL OF POWER STORAGE DEVICES SUCHAS BATTERIES” (Atty. Docket No. 170178.403) U.S. application Ser. No.______ filed on Jul. 26, 2012 naming Hok-Sum Horace Luke and MatthewWhiting Taylor as inventors and entitled “DYNAMICALLY LIMITING VEHICLEOPERATION FOR BEST EFFORT ECONOMY” (Atty. Docket No. 170178.407), U.S.application Ser. No. ______ filed on Jul. 26, 2012, naming MatthewWhiting Taylor, Yi-Tsung Wu, Hok-Sum Horace Luke and Huang-Cheng Hung asinventors and entitled “APPARATUS, METHOD, AND ARTICLE FOR PHYSICALSECURITY OF POWER STORAGE DEVICES IN VEHICLES” (Atty. Docket No.170178.408), U.S. application Ser. No. ______ filed on Jul. 26, 2012,naming Yi-Tsung Wu, Matthew Whiting Taylor, Hok-Sum Horace Luke andJung-Hsiu Chen as inventors and entitled “APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLEFOR PROVIDING INFORMATION REGARDING AVAILABILITY OF POWER STORAGEDEVICES AT A POWER STORAGE DEVICE COLLECTION, CHARGING AND DISTRIBUTIONMACHINE” (Atty. Docket No. 170178.419), and U.S. application Ser. No.______ filed on Jul. 26, 2012, naming Hok-Sum Horace Luke, Yi-Tsung Wu,Jung-Hsiu Chen, Yulin Wu, Chien Ming Huang, TsungTing Chan, Shen-ChiChen and Feng Kai Yang as inventors and entitled “APPARATUS, METHOD ANDARTICLE FOR RESERVING POWER STORAGE DEVICES AT RESERVING POWER STORAGEDEVICE COLLECTION, CHARGING AND DISTRIBUTION MACHINES” (Atty. Docket No.170178.423) are incorporated herein by reference, in their entirety.Aspects of the embodiments can be modified, if necessary, to employsystems, circuits and concepts of the various patents, applications andpublications to provide yet further embodiments.

While generally discussed in the environment and context of collection,charging and distribution of portable electrical energy storage devicesfor use with personal transportation vehicle such as all-electricscooters and/or motorbikes, the teachings herein can be applied in awide variety of other environments, including other vehicular as well asnon-vehicular environments.

The above description of illustrated embodiments, including what isdescribed in the Abstract of the Disclosure, is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise forms disclosed.Although specific embodiments and examples are described herein forillustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications can be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure, as willbe recognized by those skilled in the relevant art.

These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of theabove-detailed description. In general, in the following claims, theterms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specificembodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should beconstrued to include all possible embodiments along with the full scopeof equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, theclaims are not limited by the disclosure.

1. A vehicle diagnostic data storage system, comprising: at least onecontroller; and at least one memory device configured to be coupled tothe at least one controller, wherein the at least one memory device isattached to an electrical energy storage device configured to providepower to a vehicle, and wherein the controller is configured to: receivediagnostic data regarding the vehicle; and store at least some of thediagnostic data in the memory device. 2-40. (canceled)